Originally Posted by Rote90
Like, this thread was made for people who are unhappy with Patch 7 changes. Of course, no one is gatekeeping other opinions, but right now you are not suggesting any compromise, while the other side tries to find a solution which would make everyone happy. You are not making any suggestions how to resolve this issue. You are not providing any constructive variants.

The issue has been resolved. Astarion is once again consistent with the characterisation of a possessive but not physically abusive Vampire Lord.

The suggested compromise in the patch 6 thread and other places was to stick to the original script that allowed Tav to choose a gentler or rougher approach. While I wish there was one more scene where Astarion's kinky side was explored better, Tav kneeling, especially after succeeding the insight check signals to Astarion that they are into sub/dom dynamics. If someone is still not happy with the outcome, there are multiple options to end the relationship, in which he never even retaliates. This is not a real life abuse simulator but a romance with a fictional vampire villain. The former is suited for obscure horror games and not a mainstream AAA game people play for fun.

Larian already made it clear they originally intended the ascension path to be an alternative romance route and not a tragedy. In the cut Withers epilogue Tav and Astarion are clearly harmonious and enjoy their life together. An unhappy Tav would not want to kiss Astarion, they would break up with him, kill him, enslave him as the Absolute, etc. Tav is the protagonist who is forced to fight against Gods and their Chosen, they are more than capable of taking care of themselves. As I previously said, Tav complaining about the lack of freedom seems to be more of a quarrel between spouses rather than a tormented slave and their cruel master.

The kisses were always criticised for taking away the agency AND contradicting Astarion's previous characterisation. You're free to see him as abusive no matter what he does, but this is clearly not the story Larian wants to tell us, instead they want to keep him morally questionable but not turn him into a complete psycho. They're carefully trying to present heavier situations in a more humourous or less serious manner, just like they did in the first act when Astarion drains Tav dry.

Potentially triggering content:

Diminishing Astarion to the role of an abuser, who flips the switch as soon as he's capable of properly defending himself from future harm is a disservice to him and to the people who identify with him. It tells them that those who suffered, immediately become awful to their loved ones as soon as they empower themselves. By this logic, Astarion is only waiting to complete the ritual so he can abuse Tav. Are we supposed to believe then that UA suddenly turns into an angel when he's denied his wish? We already know from his friendship path, where he is more open about his plans and tells us more about what he'd been up to, that he doesn't intend to miss his second chance to gain new powers.

The current faces are fitting, fairly neutral and possible to interpret in multiple ways. The only open mouth smile is when Astarion grabs Tav's throat, the rest are smirks.

Asking for scared and disgusted faces is not only asking to roleplay Tav in a certain way but also for Astarion to harm Tav and not stop when he sees their discomfort. I and the majority of people don't play romances in games to end up being wronged, but to enjoy them. The countless threads with complaints about Halsin being creepy towards Tav speak volumes. I'm glad the patch 6 kisses have finally been reworked and now everyone can have a happy romance again.